|
Now that you have read what the Bible says, let’s discuss how it is applied in a very practical way.
|
|
BELT OF TRUTH
|
|
BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
|
|
FEET SHOD WITH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
|
|
SHIELD OF FAITH
|
|
HELMET OF SALVATION
|
|
SWORD OF THE SPIRIT
|
|
ALL PRAYER
|
|
By putting on the whole armor, you are covered by Jesus. You are then in Christ. His prayers are joining with your prayers to the Father as you plead for victory in your own life and intercede for others. SUGGESTION Perhaps you are one who has never prayed very much or not at all. You may be wishing someone might guide you in learning how to pray or even to know what requests to make in different situations. Although God hears all prayer from a sincere heart, you may link to the next page and find some prayer suggestions for various occasions. |
|
|
God knew you and I would have difficulty discerning the devil’s
schemes to trap us into believing his lies, so just as any loving father
would do, He made a provision. He gave you full armor to be put on at
the beginning of each day! Listen to what the Bible tells us: "Put
on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the
devil’s schemes." (Ephesians 6:11) This armor will cover
you from head to toe safely because each piece represents Jesus Christ.
But you have to CHOOSE to put it on without rationalization that
you can get along without it. Without it, you shall surely die! Please
read all about this armor in Ephesians 6:10-18.
Daily Bible study is the action of buckling the
belt of truth around your waist. This is the best way to
guard yourself against Satan’s lies and live in freedom. You are
allowing Jesus to set you free from all the worldly deceptions
and conformities. He said, "I am the way, the
TRUTH, and the Life…" (John 14:6) "…You
shall know the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall make you free." (John
8:32)
Scripture
Memorization keeps us from sin and deception. Psalm 119:11 says:
"Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I
might not sin against Thee." Satan is the accuser of
Christians and brings condemnation to your heart if you do not know how
to meet the accusations with Scripture as Jesus did in the wilderness.
These accusations come against our heart and emotions through the words
and actions from others. A breastplate covers the heart and
emotions. Righteousness is choosing to follow Jesus’ example in
dealing with wrongs. Instead of leaning on our feelings, the
Scripture memorization enables us to lean on the principles of
God, covered by Jesus’ righteousness, bringing freedom from
condemnation!
Meditating on Scripture engrafts God’s Word into your life
so you can share His unchanging principles by being willing to have your
feet carry you where God leads or stand firmly for your beliefs through
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture meditation gives you peace
through Jesus. He said, "Peace I leave with
you, my Peace I give unto you." (John 14:27)
Fasting regularly:
It takes spiritual discernment to recognize the attacks of Satan which
come through temptations in our weakest moments. Fasting is an appetite
(lust) denying discipline which should be practiced daily in any area of
life. It may be in the area of food, but it could also be in the areas
of entertainment, work, wasted moments, sports, etc. It produces good judgment
or discernment, smashing down the idols in our lives as Isiah 58
promises. Your eyes will be opened to God's victory in your life, thus
building your shield of faith. Shields protect every portion of the body
from the spears, swords and darts of the enemy. Jesus is a SHIELD as
David said in Psalm 144:2: "...my shield, in
the whom I take refuge..." You can run to Him and be safe.
Focusing on the Lord
upon arising renews your faith in God’s power and His purposes
for the day. You need not be disabled through fear or worry, as you put
on this helmet. Jesus is your salvation. "The
Lord is my light and my SALVATION…" (Psalm 17:1) With the
helmet in place your mind will be protected and your eyes focused on
your Commander. We have this promise: "Thou
(God) will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee…"
(Isaiah 26:3)
Using "Rhemas" in warfare is the Christian’s
method of using the sixth piece of the armor – the sword. The Greek
term for "Word" in many scriptures is logos, but in
some verses it is translated rhema as in Acts 11:16 when the Holy
Spirit fell upon Peter and his friends and he said, "Then
remembered I the word of the Lord,…" A rhema
is a Scripture text which the Holy Spirit brings back to your memory to
enable you to meet a particular situation. The sword of the Spirit IS
the Word of God and Jesus is the living Word. Hebrews 4:12 tells us: "…the
word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword,
it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it
judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." God’s
Word is your Power.
Establishing
priorities in your life is the secret to balance. Jesus told us
in John 15 that we can do nothing of ourselves. We are in constant need
of the wisdom and admonition of Jesus Christ, our Commander-in-Chief.
Every temptation you meet is a signal for prayer. Satan’s whole host
trembles when the weakest saint is on his knees. Prayer is power as it
is your link to the God of the universe. Ephesians 6:18 says: "And
pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers
and requests…be alert and always keep on praying for all the
saints." Satan will do all he can to hinder your connection
with your Commander; however you can be more than a conqueror if
you turn Satan’s temptations into signals for prayer.